The Korea Forest Service (KFS) announced Monday that it is accepting applications through May 29 for its "Resident Participation Landslide Prevention Project Contest," in which residents directly identify areas at risk of landslides and apply for erosion control dam installations.
Last year, the contest focused on candidate sites for erosion control dams. This year, the agency plans to expand the scope to include areas with landslide concerns, casting a wider net to identify forest disaster risk factors near residential zones.
Any citizen can participate. Applications are not limited to one's own area of residence — anyone can apply for any location where landslide prevention work is needed, including areas where relatives live.
Eligible sites include: △areas requiring debris flow prevention to protect lives and property; △areas that have experienced soil runoff damage from heavy rainfall or typhoons in the past; and △areas where unstable valleys or slopes raise concerns about debris flows reaching downstream residential areas.
Citizens wishing to participate can apply through the Landslide Information System website, or download the application form and personal information consent form from the KFS website and submit them via email or mail to the KFS Landslide Prevention Division.
"With heavy rainfall becoming more frequent due to climate change, the risk of forest disasters including landslides continues to rise," said Lee Yong-kwon, Forest Disaster Controller at the Korea Forest Service. "Preemptive prevention before the rainy season is more important than anything, and we ask for residents' active participation."